www.gradeup.

co

1
www.gradeup.co

HEAT TRANSFER

2 EXTENDED SURFACE-FINS

1. FINS (EXTENDED SURFACES) (CONDUCTION-CONVECTION SURFACES)

Fins are the projections protruding from a hot surface & they are meant for increasing heat
transfer rate by increasing surface area of heat transfer.
Examples
(1) Air cooled IC Engines
(2) reciprocating air compressors
(3) Refrigerator condenser
(4) Automobile Radiator
(5) Electric Transformers & motors
(6 ) Electronic Devices
1.1. ANALYSIS OF RECTANGULAR FIN

L = Length of fin
Z = Width of Fin
t = Thickness of fin
A = (Z × t)

2
www.gradeup.co

The mechanism of heat transfer in the fin is first heat gets conducted into the fin at its
root & then while conducting along the length of the fin (i.e. I x-direction) heat is also
simultaneously convicting from the surface of the fin to the ambient fluid prevailing all
around the fin at T∞, with a convection heat transfer coefficient of h w/m2k.
Objective is to get temperature distribution along x-direction & rate of heat transfer
through fin.
Consider a differentially small element of the fin of length dx at a distance x from the
root.
Assume steady state conditions,1-D, No Heat Generation
Let qx = Heat conducted into the element
 dT 
= −KA  watt
 dx 

qx+dx = Heat conducted out of the element


= qx + (q )dx
x x
qconvected from the element = h(pdx) (T – T∞)
where P is perimeter of fin = [2z + 2t)
& T is temperature of fin element
Writing the energy balance for the steady state conduction of the element.
Heat conducted into the element = Heat conducted out of the element + Heat convected
from the surface of element of fluid
qx = qx+dx + convection

qx
=q +
x
(q ) dx + hpdx ( T − T )
x x
Or
  dT 
0= −KA dx + hPdx ( T − T )
x  dx 

Or
d2 T hP
− ( T − T ) = 0
dx2 KA

Put T − T = 
Differentiating with respect to x
dT d
=
dx dx
Again differentiating with respect to x
d2 T d2
2
=
dx dx2
 hP 
& Put m2 = 
 KA 

3
www.gradeup.co

Substituting these values in energy balance equation

d2
− m2 = 0
dx2
This is a very standard format of second order linear differential equation in θ, whose
solution is the complimentary function.
Writing auxiliary equation
2 2
D −m =0

D = m
The solution for two different real roots is given by

 = c1 e−mx + C2 e−mx

Where

hP
m= [units = /metre]
KA
Where C1 & C2 are constants of integration that are to be obtained from boundary
conditions.
One boundary condition is at x = 0, T = T0 (base or root temperature)
& θ = θ0 = T 0 - T ∞
The second boundary condition depends upon three different situation or cases of fins.
CASE 1 : FIN IS INFINITELY LONG OR VERY LONG FIN
Then the temperature at the tip of the fin will be essentially that of the ambient fluid
i.e., at x = ∞, T = T∞ & θ = 0
Solving for the values of C1 and C2
o = C1 + C2 -----------(1)

C1 = 0
C2 =  o

θ = C2 e–mx
θ = o e–mx


= e–mx
o

4
www.gradeup.co

Then the temperature distribution at the fin with respect to x is given by

 T − T
= = e−mx
o T0 − T

Or
T = (T0 – T∞)e-mx + T∞
The rate of heat transfer through the fin.
q through fin = Heat conducted into the fin at its root

 dT 
= −KA  watt
 dx  x =0

[for any case of fin]

Therefore,

q fin = hPKA 0 watts

Example 1
Two long rods of the same diameter, one made of brass (k = 85 W/m-deg) and the other
of copper (k = 375 W/m-deg), have one of their ends inserted into a furnace. At a section
10.5 cm away from the furnace, the temperature of the brass rod is 120° C. At what
distance from the furnace end, the same temperature would be reached in the copper
rod. Both rods are exposed to the same environment.
Sol. Treating the rods as infinitely long fins, the temperature distribution is prescribed by
the relation,
 t – t
= = e–mx
o to – t 

Or t = t∞ + (to – t∞)e–mx
For brass rod: 120 = t∞ + (to – T∞) e–m1l1 …………..(i)
For copper rod: 120 = t∞ + (to – t∞) e–m2l2 ………….(ii)
Where l1 and l2 are the lengths upto which same temperature is reached is reached in
both the rods. Obviously from expression (i) and (ii), we get
M1l1 = m2l2

h1p1 h2p2
or l = l
k1A1 1 k2 A2 2

Since the rods are exposed to the same environment (h 1 = h2) and are of the same
diameter (P1 = P2 and A1 = A2) we get
l1 l2
=
k1 k2

k2 375
or l2 = l1 = 10.5 = 22.05cm
k1 85

5
www.gradeup.co

CASE 2 : FINS IS FINITE IN LENGTH & ITS TIP IS INSULATED

Therefore, qconducted into fin at other end of the tip must be zero.
Or
 dT 
−KA  =0
 dx  x =L

Therefore,
 dT 
 dx  =0
x =L

 d 
 dx  =0 [This is the second boundary condition]
x =L

C1 meml – C2 me–ml = 0
C1 eml – C2 e–ml = 0 …(1)
At x = 0
C1 + C2 = 0 …(2)

o e–ml
C1 =
eml + e–ml

o eml
C2 =
eml + e–ml
By Putting values of C1 and C2 in equation

 = c1e−mx + C2e−mx

Practically fins tip is either insulated rather convection heat loss from the tip is neglected.
Then the solution for temperature distribution within the fin is given by

6
www.gradeup.co

 T − T cosh m (L − x)
= =
0 T0 − T cosh mL

Heat transfer rate through fin, qthro fin = hPkA0 tanh mL watt

Example 2
A carbon steel rod (k = 55 W/m-deg) has been attached to a plane wall which is
maintained at a temperature of 350° C. The rod is 8 cm long and has the cross-section
of an equilateral triangle with each side 5 mm. Determine the heat dissipation from the
rod if it is exposed to a convection environment at 25°C with unit surface conductance
100 W/m-deg. Consider end surface loss to be negligible.
Sol. For a fin of triangular cross-section
P = 3a

1  a
Ac = a 3 
2  2

3 2
= a
4
1
  2

hP  100  (3  0.005) 
m= =  = 50.19m–1
kAc  3 2
 55  4  (0.005) 

For a fin with end loss negligible (tip insulated)

Q = k ACm (t0 – t∞) tanh ml

3
= 55  (0.005)2  50.19  (350 – 40) tanh (50.19  0.08) = 9.26W
4
CASE 3 : FIN IS FINITE IN LENGTH & ALSO HEAT LOSS BY CONVECTION FROM
ITS TIP (UNINSULATED TIP)
Second boundary condition,
qconvected from tip = qconducted into tip

 dT 
hA ( Tx =L − T ) = −KA 
 dx  x =L

7
www.gradeup.co

Then the solution for temperature distribution is given by

 T − T cosh m(L c − x)
= =
0 T0 − T cosh mL c

Where Lc is corrected Length

Lc = L + A c

P
Also, Heat transfer Rate through fin =

qthro−fin = hPKA 0 tanh mLc

1.2. FIN EFFICIENCY

Fin efficiency is defined as the ratio between actual heat transfer rate taking place through
the fin & the maximum possible heat transfer rate that can occur from the fin. The
maximum heat transfer rate can be achieved when all heat from base of fin flows within
fraction of time, this condition can be achieved by having infinite thermal conductivity. In
that case fin will be at base temperature and all heat will be removed by convection only.
CASE 1 Infinite Length Fin

q hPKA  0
(fin ) = q act =
max (
hPL T0 − T )
1
fin =
mL

8
www.gradeup.co

CASE 2 Finite Length Fin with Insulated Tip

qact hPKA  0 tan h mL

( ) = =
fin
qmax (
hPL T0 − T )
tanh mL
=
hP
L
KA
tan h mL
fin =
mL
Example 3
A steel rod (k = 30 W/m-deg) 1 cm in diameter and 5 cm long protrudes from a wall
which is maintained at 100° C. The rod is insulated at its tip and is exposed to an
environment with h = 50 W/m2-deg and ta = 30°C. Calculate the fin efficiency,
temperature at the tip of fin and the rate of heat dissipation.
Sol. The fin efficiency is given by
tanhml
fin =
ml

hP h  d 4h 4  50
Where m = = = = = 25.82m–1
kA  kd 30  0.01
k d2
4
tanh(25.82  0.05)
 fin = = 0.6657 or 66.57%
(25.82  0.05)

(b) The temperature distribution for a fin with insulated tip (no heat transfer at the
exposed end) is given by the relation
 t – t coshm(l – x)
= =
0 t0 – t coshml

9
www.gradeup.co

At tip (x = l) and the above equation reduces to

1 t – 30 1
= l =
0 100 – 30 coshml

70
Or tl = 30 + = 30 + 35.79 = 65.75C
cosh(25.82  0.05)

(c) The heat loss from a fin with insulated tip is

Q = k AC m (t0 – t∞) tanh ml

= 30  (0.01)2  25.82  (100 – 30)  tanh(25.82  0.05)
4
= 3.658W
CASE 3 Finite Length Fin losing Heat at Tip
tanh mL c
fin =
mL c

Since, fin  K

Therefore, the fin should be made of high thermal conductivity material (Copper,
Aluminum)
1.3. EFFECTIVENESS OF FIN
Effectiveness is defined as the ratio between heat transfer rate with fin & the heat transfer
rate without fin.
qwith fin
fin =
qwithout fin

Therefore,

hPKA  0 tan h mL
fin (Finite Fin with insulated Tip) =
(
hA ( T0 − T )
tan h mL
fin =
hA
kP

10
www.gradeup.co

This shows,
1
fin 
h
ϵfin tells about how much benefit we are getting in increasing the heat transfer rate by
keeping the fins. If the value of h is more in any case, like with flowing water,
effectiveness of the fin is very low. It means fins are not worth keeping them

fin  K

P
fin 
A
Hence thin & closely spaced fins made of very good thermal conductivity material is
generally designed.
1.4. Proper length of fin
To determine proper length of a fin, we compare heat transfer from a fin of finite length
with insulated tip to heat transfer from an infinitely long fin under the same condition.
Qfinite length
= tanh ml
QInfinite length

mL tanh mL
0.1 0.1
0.2 0.192
0.5 0.462
1 0.762
1.5 0.905
2 0.964
2.5 0.932
3 0.995
4 0.999
5 1.000

As the length of fin is increased the value of tanh mL increases by very less amount and
after mL reaches 5,there is negligible increase in tanh mL.After a certain length, the heat
is not transferred either by convection or radiation. Thus behoves as insulate tip.
At ml = 5 Qfinite = QInfinite Hence Infinite length has wastage of length

11
www.gradeup.co

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.1 Two long pieces of copper (k = 400 W/m-deg) wire 1.5 mm diameter are to be soldered together
end to end. The surrounding air temperature is 30°C and the melting point of the solder is 230°C. If
the convective heat transfer coefficient between the copper wire and air is 18W/m 2-deg, find the
minimum energy input in watts to keep the soldered surface at 230°C.
Q.2 A rectangular fin measuring 4 cm length, 0.03 cm thickness and 30 cm width is made of cast iron
having thermal conductivity k = 180 kJ/m-hr-deg. The base temperature of fin is 130°C, the fin is
exposed to surrounding air at 30°C and unit surface conductance is 120 kJ/m2-hr-deg. Make
calculations for the rate of heat flow through the cross-sectional area at the root of the fin. Assume
uniform temperature distribution at any cross-section perpendicular to the length of fin and neglect
heat flow in the direction perpendicular to the fin profile area.
Q.3 One end of the long rod is inserted into a furnace and the other end projects into the surrounding
air at 20°C. Under steady state conditions, the temperature of the rod measured at two points, 100
mm apart, was found to be 120°C and 100°C respectively. If the diameter of the rod is 25 mm and
thermal conductivity of the fin material is 120 W/m-deg, make calculations for the surface heat
transfer coefficient.
Q.4 A heating unit in the form of a vertical tube, 120 cm high and 6 cm outside diameter, has its
surface maintained at 80°C whilst the surrounding air is at 18°C. The tube is provided with 20 equally
spaced longitudinal fins of rectangular section; the fins are 5 cm long and 0.03 cm thick. Calculate the
amount of heat transferred from the finned wall to the surroundings. Take thermal conductivity of fin
material k = 55.7 W/m-deg and the surface heat transfer coefficient h = 9.3 W/m 2-deg.
Q.5 A glass rod (k = 3.45 kJ/m-hr-deg) of 15 mm diameter and 65 cm length is heated to 150°C at
its base and extends into air at 25°C. If the surface film coefficient is known to be 26 kJ/m 2-hr-deg,
determine the temperature distribution and heat loss from the rod. Neglect heat flux through the tip
of rod.
Q.6 A fin 30 cm long and 10 mm diameter throughout is made of steel alloy of thermal conductivity
43 W/m-deg. The fin attached to a plane heated wall at 200°C temperature, extends into surroundings
at 25°C and unit surface conductance of 120 W/m 2-deg, Work out the heat flow rate from the fin to
the surroundings. Presume that the tip of the fin is insulated and thermal radiation effects are
negligible.
ANS:
1. 3.096 Watt
2. 392 KJ/hr
3. 3.725 W/m2-deg
4. 1356 W
5. 3.4 KJ/hr
6. 15.1 W

****

12
www.gradeup.co

13
www.gradeup.co

14